Page 61 of Marigold Run

“Everly?” Mari looks at our beta, her eyes pleading.

“How about we go and change into some pants and sneakers for our walk?” Everly takes Mari’s hand. I step back, watching the pair drift out of the room.

I definitely just fucked up.

“Like a shark in blood-infested waters?” Hutch’s hand lands hard on my shoulder, making me scowl. “Next time, skip all formalities and shove your fangs directly into her throat.”

“Fuck off.” I shrug his hand off of me. “Life is too short to hold that kind of emotion in.” I glare at my twin. “But at least I can admit how I feel.”

He gives me a shitty smirk. “And I’m sure Mari is thrilled about that right now.”

I want to snap back that it’s not my fault that Mari isn’t normal—any other omega would be thrilled with a declaration of love. Our kind move fast, rushing from meeting, to affection, to mating in a matter of weeks, but not Mari. She’s different. She’s special.

I hope I didn’t overwhelm her.

Through the Woods

Mari

Things feel weird.

No one has mentioned what Dassy said this morning, but it’s all I can think about.

Everly and the twins chat next to me, acting like nothing happened as we talk toward the treeline, but Dassy’s words keep bouncing around in my head:He loves me.

That can’t be true. Why would anyone love me? I’m too guarded. Too…I don’t know. Bitchy?

Dassy is a fool for saying something so stupid, especially since I could never feel the same about him.

Could I?

No!

I definitely do not love an alpha that I have only known for a few months. Although, that is a standard amount of time for an omega to form an attachment.And Dassy is a wonderful alpha.Very free-spirited, and patient. But I can’t love him. I’m going toleave him soon, and loving him would only break my heart.But what if he came with me?

It takes everything in me not to scream out loud as my mind bounces between desire and rejection, over and over again.

Everly slips her hand into mine as we cross the edge of the yard and into the forest. Dassy and Hutch walk at our backs, both moving silently. It’s amazing how quiet an alpha can be when they want to be.

“Was the cemetery here when you bought the house?” I ask, then immediately wince at my stupidity. Of course, it was here. They didn’t bring the fucking thing with them. “I mean, how long after you moved in did you find it?”

Everly smiles sweetly, walking a little closer so our shoulders bump gently. I inhale her slight lavender aroma, trying to settle my damn nerves. “Izan and Hutch lived here long before I came along,” she says. “Then Dassy moved in…what?” She glances over her shoulder at the alpha. “Five years ago?”

“Yup,” Dassy says with a cheerful lift to his voice. He seems to be completely unfazed by what happened in the game room, but I don’t really know. I can’t bring myself to look at him…or Hutch.

“I only moved in three years ago,” Everly says. “I found it when I was exploring the grounds. The boys had no idea it was here.”

I nod like that’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard, but in reality, I’m spending all of my energy trying not to imagine what it would be like to abandon my plan for revenge and spend the rest of my life being adored by Dassy and cared for by Everly.I guess Izan and Hutch would be there too.

“Did Izan give you a tour of the offices?” Everly asks, making small talk.

I shake my head. “Just his office.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “I thought for sure he’d show you the Display Room.”

“What’s that?” I ask as she climbs over a downed tree. Before I can follow her, Hutch grabs me around the waist and lifts me easily, placing me carefully on the other side. I nod, struggling to make eye contact with either twin.

“It’s a room with demos of all the best games in the casino.” Everly takes my hand again as we continue down the path. “They light up, and pretend to pay out on every spin so investors can see how they work.”

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